Christmas is HERE!

Early Christmas morning the children in our group homes woke up and celebrated their family Christmas. The first group of kids to wake up and open presents were the kids at Casa Rebeca, followed by the kids at Casa Ana, and finally the kids at Casa Nadia. As has become a tradition, the kids sit at the top of the stairs and sing Christmas carols until we tell them to come down.



At that, they race down the stairs to find their stockings and to begin enjoy the first treats of Christmas morning. After that the fun of opening all of their presents begins!

Enjoy the pictures in the next few blogs of the kids opening their presents this Christmas… Thank you SO much to all of you who helped contribute towards making this Christmas so special for the kids in our group homes! It wouldn’t have been possible without your generosity!!

A Christmas Party for our Kids...

This year the Christmas party for the 29 kids in our group homes was a blast!
Each house was assigned two people from the Christmas story and they had to dress two kids from the house as their assigned people. The kids arrived at the office dressed as Mary, Joseph, an angel, a Wiseman, a shepherd, and a donkey. The competition had a little twist because it was not just based off of who had the best costume, but also we read the Christmas story and the kids had to act as the characters in the story! After a winner was chosen for best costume and best acting, we split the kids into teams for the remaining activities. Each of the four teams contained a mix of kids from each of the houses. The teams were first given a bag of supplies to dress one team member up as a human Christmas tree. The kids that were dressed up then modeled their tree costumes for the rest of the kids as if they were on a catwalk. The next activity we did a cake-decorating contest. Each team received a cake, sprinkles, whipped cream, fruit, etc, and they were told to be as creative as they could.



Two of the teams cut their cakes into the shape of Christmas trees, one into a gingerbread house, and the winning team made a Christmas tree and a snowman. After the cake contest we drew names for a money tree filled with one-leu bills (the total was about $15). Janos, the winner, was thrilled with his prize! Finally, one of the highlights of the day was when one of our educators made an appearance as Santa and each child took a picture on Santa’s lap.



The kids enjoyed a special snack and movie before they returned home after the fun party!

Putting up the Tree...

Everyone takes part in decorating the family tree at each house! Here are the kids from Casa Ana & Nadia helping to put up their tree and just having fun as they get into the Christmas spirit!

Getting Ready for Christmas...

Christmas is such a wonderful time for all children and ours are no different. The kids had a great time gearing up for Christmas by baking cookies for their teachers at school and decorating the house and their own rooms for Christmas!

Better Late Than Never...

Hello All... We are going to take a few blog entries to fill you in on Christmas goings on here in Romania. Sorry for the delay in them coming. We will post them as they occurred and hope you enjoy seeing a little bit of Christmas in Romania!

Let's Party...

It is all things fun and festive at this time of year as Livada’s follow up staff throw parties everyday for the some 400 orphans in Mures County. The parties are the highlight of the season for these kids and they just love the music, dressing up, the games and the stories. It has been wonderful to be able to recreate the Christmas story this year at each party and remind the kids of the true meaning of Christmas.


This year we have Samaritan’s Purse shoe boxes, Build a Bears and Christmas bags donated by the kids at Muskoka Woods Sports Resort so every child in State care in the county gets a fantastic gift!! It is such a privilege to see their faces so filled with joy as they rip open those presents to see what goodies are inside. They are so thankful for what they have been given and it is just wonderful to be able to bring a smile to their faces!


Please continue to pray for the follow up staff as they organize parties right up to Christmas Eve. Pray for renewed energy and enthusiasm to make every party the best Christmas party ever!!!

"All I Want for Christmas"

Well Christmas is fast approaching and I am sure, if you are anything like us, things just get busier each day. Life here is filled with a great deal of excitement as we do Christmas parties each day for the kids! What a privilege it is to be able to give these kids a little joy, tell them about the true meaning of Christmas and of course give out tons of presents! Seeing their faces light up as they receive those gifts and watching them rip the boxes or bags open to see whats inside is such a pleasure.

It was actually at one of our Christmas parties on Saturday, at Zau, a large girls orphanage that I was faced with the opportunity for a very special type of Christmas gift. As you know, throughout the year we spend each week visiting and running programs in the orphanages and group homes in Mures county. Through this an endless stream of needs come across our paths- we help where we can with clothes, food, money and medicine but one of the greatest needs is in the area of dentistry. Years of poor dental hygiene and never having access to a dentist has left many of these kids and teenagers with a wealth of dental problems. Each week we take kids to the dentist to deal with emergency needs but every once in a while we come across someone who needs more than a tooth filled, pulled, or replaced.


Valentina is a 19 year old girl I have known for some time. She is shy and retiring in many ways but more recently I have noticed there is a bubbly young lady inside who is desperate to come out. I have often looked at her teeth and wanted to do something to help her but I knew that the cost would be far beyond what we are able to spend on dentistry needs in a month! I must admit that I am at fault and haven't done anything yet because I just thought it was an impossible case but on Saturday at that party I realized I had to try and help her in some way.

Some of the other girls at the orphanage told me that they regularly hear her crying about how ugly she is, how disgusting her teeth are and how nobody wants to be around her. She often sits alone and tells the girls that nobody would ever want her because of how awful she looks. When I heard this I found it hard not to cry. I'm sure if she knew the song she would sing it at the top of her voice, all I want for Christmas is a mouth full of teeth! I know that this would be the best Christmas present we could ever give her.

The Underground - A Winter Wonderland

The Underground, our Thursday night teenage event, seems to be proving more popular than ever. We have an average of 75 kids coming weekly and last week we had over 80!! It is great to see these teenagers, who mostly live in State care or night shelters, come from far and wide, despite the weather, to have a night of fun and fellowship. Each week there are great opportunities for us to share our lives with these teenagers, hear the issues they are facing and offer support in whatever ways we can. There is also a time for them to hear what God has laid on Paul’s heart as we continue to go through the extra ordinary lives of ordinary people.

Last week we had a ‘build a human snowman’ competition and as always the room was a buzz with teams creating truly amazing masterpieces!! I’m sure you will agree, the results were outstanding!




Please continue to pray for the teenagers who come to this program. Also please pray for us as we seek to find more volunteers to help us each week. With so many young people and so few adults the night is often not only energetic but challenging too!!

Ludus is Closing!

If you have been to Romania with us, chances are you have been to visit this orphanage in Ludus. It has for many years been a matter of prayer for us. The director and staff have typically been against us doing any kind of Christian programing there. It has been a dark place for years where abuse and neglect are the norm. All of the children in our group homes and mentor apartments have been rescued out of the fear and darkness of this place. This orphanage was the only home many of them have ever known.


After the small children were finally moved out of this place earlier this fall, we began to have hope that this orphanage may finally be closing. It has been talked about for almost two years now. We have received word that Ludus will close it's doors for good on December 31! PRAISE THE LORD!

Please pray with us for the almost 30 teenagers who still live at Ludus who are now unsure about their future and where they will go. Some will most likely be "graduated" out of state care, while others will be shifted to live somewhere else. Please pray that the best will be done for each child. Many of these teens have never known another home and are very fearful of leaving this place where they have lived for so long.

Thank you so much for rejoicing with us in seeing the final days of this place and for praying with us for the best possible solution for each child who will be moved. Thank you!

Daniel is doing well...

Daniel Simon has been in a special therapy program for three months now and is making great progress. He has moved up to something called "Level 2." This means that he is has earned more trust from the adults who work with him and is given a little more free time. He is beginning a home school program which includes math, Romanian, English and nature studies. We are now working with him to catch up from second grade, but this level is a challenge for him because the cognitive tasks are more difficult and take more effort and concentration on Daniel's part.


Alina Muresan, who oversees Daniel's program, shared that she is very pleased that during the first three months of the program, Daniel did not exhibit any aggressive behaviors which had become very common for him at Casa Nadia. She says that she sees a different child now. His eye contact has improved, his face is bright and his beautiful eyes shine. He has learned manners and is very polite and warm hearted. He has begun to share openly about his past and the abuse that he endured. He knows now that he is in a safe place and nothing bad will happen to him here and his walls are coming down.

He is even starting to recognize the positive qualities that he possesses. A few days ago he told Alina that he saw himself in the mirror the other day and realized that he was a beautiful boy and has a nice face and even ears! This is wonderful as he used to be ashamed of his "big ears."


Now that Christmas is near, he is very excited but also sad because he's not at level 3 which would allow him the freedom to visit others outside the house. Therefore we plan to give him a little playmate and responsibility of his own...a little cat, and soon to plan some visits to see his brothers and friends at Casa Nadia.

Pray that Daniel and all our children will experience the JOY of Jesus' birth this Christmas. Pray that Daniel will continue to heal and grow this year so that he can come back to Casa Nadia as "the REAL Daniel" this coming fall.

Romanian Thanksgiving...

Our kids recently made "Thanksgiving Trees" to celebrate America's Thanksgiving Holiday and to thank God for all the things and people that they are thankful for. One of the Casa Nadia tutors, Mira Tanase, had this great idea and each child was able to share what they were personally most thankful for AND all the people for whom they are grateful. The trees were filled with names of sponsors, staff, and volunteers. Praise the Lord with us for all of our kids and pray that God would continue to fill their lives with true thanksgiving.

Counting Our Blessings...

This Thanksgiving, we thought it only right to count our blessings, the things that we are thankful for as a ministry. The hard thing is that this list could go on and on. While there are always struggles, needs and set backs we face ministering in another country, to hurting children and with a changing economy... there are so many more things that God has done... ways He has been faithful and blessings that He has poured out! We are thankful for...


...Our wonderful leadership and staff... our board, western staff, Romanian staff and many volunteers without whom we could not reach these children with the depth and love that we strive to.

...Our faithful prayer warriors, donors, child sponsors and those who give of their time to serve with us. You are all God's instruments who keep this ministry going. We are so thankful for each of you.

...The lives and hearts of so many children who we have had the amazing opportunity to love, encourage, speak out for, protect, assist, and share the love of Christ with over the years here in Romania in the state system.

...The gradual closing of many horrible state orphanages through the opening of state homes and a budding foster care system in Romania.

... The opportunity God provided with the help of so many to build Camp Vetca this year and open it up to the children of our county this summer for an amazing week where they were safe, loved and heard the Good News of Christ.


We are thankful for...

...The incredible opportunity we have had to walk over 48 children & teens out of the orphanage in Ludus... taking them from an environment of fear, abuse, neglect and sadness into a HOME in one Casa Rebeca, Casa Nadia, Casa Ana or one of our mentor apartments over the past 5 years!

...The seemingly small victories we see each day in these children's lives as they overcome the hurts of their past and walk towards the hope offered in Christ. It is incredible to see a child learn to control anger, stop having nightmares, learn to live under healthy authority, memorize the books of the Bible, sing praise songs to the Lord, stop wetting the bed, pass a college entrance test and see the pride in their eyes because they did something that every one in their life before us told them they would never do.


We are thankful for...

...Daniel Simon making progress in his special therapy home this year and are hopeful for his return to Casa Nadia next year.

...The 7 recent graduates of our Mentor Program and the progress that they are making as they work and live independently.


We are thankful for...

...The babies and toddlers who are beginning to walk and talk and interact with people as they are loved on by our staff and volunteers.

...The openness of some of the directors and staff in the state system to our presence in the orphanages, group homes and hospital.

...The trials that God brings to our door to keep us focused and leaning on Him for all things.


We are thankful for...

...Brian Briley having the opportunity to share about Livada in several conferences and churches around the country this fall as he recruits teams, interns and missionaries to come and serve with Livada in Romania.

...We are thankful for the blessing that it is to work in this small area of the world, with this relatively small group of orphaned and abandoned children, touching lives that we pray will stop the cycle and make an impact for eternity.

...We are thankful for each of you joining with us in this ministry...It is God's and we are so thankful for all HE has done and will continue to do in and through us in the years to come.

Update from the Babies...

Rodica Maier heads up our ministry to the abandoned babies at the hospital in Ludus. She currently has two volunteers who rotate going to the hospital with her several mornings each week. It has been so exciting to watch the progress made in these children over the past several months. The number of children at the hospital changes with the seasons and the weather. While some of these children have been here for over a year, others come and go. It is not a very stable life and leads to little trust or nurture, which is why we try to be a consistent nurturing presence in this place. There are currently 5 infants and 5 toddler/preschoolers at the hospital.


Some of these sweet children are beginning to walk, while others are beginning to speak and in the words of Rodica, "are sweeter and sweeter as they begin to speak." There are others who are making strides that no one thought they could. Little Larisa who has some obvious signs of brain damage is beginning to stand and as you can see, Darius has taken his first step on his own. It is amazing to see how attention and love can so quickly make the difference between a child developing or not. Please continue to pray for these infants and toddlers to know the love of Christ as they feel his hands and feet around them through this ministry.


Rodica has shared that the biggest needs for the babies currently are diapers, infant and toddler socks and bottles. She is also currently looking for one more volunteer to join her each week in this ministry. Please pray that God will raise up that person. If you would like to help with the needs of this ministry you can contact kelly@livada.org.

Lastly, please continue to pray Matthew 19:14 for this ministry, that the little children would come to Him and no one would hinder them. Praise the Lord for the hospital staff that is open to us being there and helping them in any way we can.

Reaching out... Underground

The youth event that takes place each week in the basement of our local church reaches many of the teens and young adults who are in state care or have recently been "aged out of care." Many of these young people are in town at school or work during the week and go back to orphanages on the weekend or are in smaller state homes. Over 70 young adults attended "The Underground" this week!


Many times this Thursday night event shares Christ and challenges those who attend with the lives of Heros of the faith. But, every few weeks it is a "game night." This week was one of those nights. These over 70 young people packed in to play games on teams, go on a scavenger hunt and just enjoy being in a safe place with people who love them and seek to encourage them wherever they are in life.



Please pray for Paul & Fiona Coles, Emil Moldovan, Ioana Harfas, Rebecca Rasmussen and Andrew Vidal as they pour into these young people at The Underground and all around our county as they go into orphanages and state homes to share the love of Christ and to be a light in the darkness through Follow Up.

Madalin

Madalin Simon has been in Livada's care for a little over two years. He is the older brother of Daniel & Sergiu Simon who are also in our care. These three brothers have had a hard young life. Madalin began his time with us at Casa Nadia. It became clear though after a time that due some of his past hurts and abuse that he needed a different environment than the group home could provide. Zoli & Nico Mursa who have worked with Livada for several years, stepped in to provide a foster care setting for Madalin. This more structured environment and family setting has allowed Madalin to make progress in his behavioral difficulties and respect for authority. Pray that this will continue.


Nico says that in recent weeks Madalin has shown a much more calm nature and they have had less behavioral issues with him. She shared that his love for soccer continues to grow and what a good outlet it is for him both physically and socially. She hopes that they will be able to place him on a soccer team. He enjoys playing with the neighbors around their apartment building when he has free time, but much time is spent on school work as he is in fourth grade this year and there is a lot of studying to do with him to help him keep up. This past week was a fall break from school and Zoli, Nico & Madalin were able to spend more family time and even got a new soccer ball, so that they could all go out and play together.


Please continue to pray for Madalin and these two young "parents" who have taken this young man with many hurts and issues into their home and are raising him and helping him to overcome his past and have hope for his future. If you are interested in joining Madalin's sponsorship team, please contact kelly@livada.org.

A Special Visitor...

Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross, co-authors of "The Connected Child" came to Targu Mures this past week to provide therapeutic training for the Casa Daniel staff. The approach that Dr. Purvis has developed is cutting edge and balances structure and nurture in a strategic and unique way that addresses the specific challenges faced by children who have experienced abuse and neglect in their formative years. The effects for Daniel are already astounding. In only eight weeks of therapy so far, he is a completely different child. The violent, delusional, and psychotic boy has disappeared and the real Daniel has emerged. He is docile and polite and at peace.

They were also able to spend time with one of our local universities AND to the clinical staff of the local Child Protective Services. Both of these caring, gentle, and enthusiastic experts were tireless in their efforts to help us.


They even spent time with the Thomas family and their two adopted sons. Their insightful assessments and evaluations radically changed the way they parent all of their children.


Through Dr. Purvis and Dr. Cross, we have found the answers that we have been praying for to bring peace to some of our troubled children who were finding it impossible to move past their previous pains. Thank God with us for this miraculous therapy and for Dr. Purvis and Dr. Cross and the invaluable training that they did for us all.


Please continue to pray for the three psychologists heading up this program for Daniel in Romania. Alina, Cristina & Cristina have put in many hours preparing the home, the staff and working with Daniel. Pray that this year will continue to be a life changing time for Daniel and that he will be able to return to Casa Nadia next fall a changed boy.